Piedmont System Support Center Opens in Midtown Atlanta

After completing a renovation in 2017 of the first two floors of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's 10 Brookline Place building, the client returned to MDS for a comprehensive space planning and programming study to reinforce their transition to "Dynamic Work" in which the physical office space would be rethought to allow for a seamless, collaborative work experience for staff that is both productive and engaging. The result was a renovation of the building's third, fourth and fifth floors in which the interior design prioritized collaboration and community. Walsh Brothers, Incorporated Creative Office Resources

From derelict bank to welcoming community hub Morris & Co has helped transform a derelict former bank into a welcoming community centre. The fabric and wallpaper brand donated products to Christian Action & Resource Enterprise for the reopening of 86-88 Victoria Street in Grimsby town centre as the CARE Hub. In the first phase of funded restoration of the derelict historic building, the ground floor interior has been completely transformed into a welcoming space where anyone can walk in, sit down, and enjoy free refreshments. The space also provides crisis support and housing advice for those who need it. Located in the top 1% most deprived areas in the UK, visitors have already described the space as feeling like ‘a 5-star boutique hotel’ and ‘a stately home’. Many local people have memories of using the building as a bank, meeting friends, and conducting everyday business there. Its closure in 2018 was felt across the community, and its subsequent decline into disrepair became a symbol of wider neglect in the town centre. CARE purchased the building in July 2023 and has spent the past two years bringing it back to life. The ground floor is now complete, with a public living room, reception area, private crisis support rooms, and a small kitchenette. Phase two is underway to improve accessibility with a lift and central staircase. Phase three will complete the upper floors to provide additional space for groups, activities, and partner organisations. ‘We intentionally set out to create something different from the usual institutional feel of community centres. We believe people deserve beauty and dignity, especially when life is hard. This space tells people they matter from the moment they walk through the door,’ says Anne Bickerstaffe, CARE ceo. ‘It was important to create a dialogue with the past in this historic building, which has seen many lives. The layering of traditional Morris & Co. patterns helps to create an inviting, almost nostalgic Victorian feel, with a bold colour palette that echoes the warmth of these playful patterns. We reconfigured the ground floor to create an open plan and multifunctional space. Heritage details and this new layout now make for a warm and welcoming environment, bringing the building back to life and creating a place for the local community to gather,’ says Scott Maddux, interior designer. ‘Congratulations to Anne and the team at CARE, who have created a beautiful haven in Grimsby for people in need in their community. Scott, a talented designer and visionary, invited us to support this initiative and help him create an environment to make people feel better, bringing beauty into people’s homes and lives. To deliver joy through colour, pattern and good design is a rewarding testament to the commitment of our teams and everything we do at Sanderson Design Group,’ says Lisa Montague, Sanderson Design Group plc. group ceo. https://lnkd.in/e8NdVp4k #furniture #furnitureindustry #interiordesign

Why Indoor Environments Matter More in Winter When outdoor environments are unavailable, indoor spaces become the primary setting for learning, play, and social development. This means classrooms, libraries, waiting areas, and activity spaces are no longer just places to sit and learn. They become substitutes for playgrounds, for nature, for free movement and exploration. Unfortunately, many indoor environments are not designed for this role. Rigid seating, limited movement areas, harsh lighting, and overstimulating or uninspiring layouts can make winter months even more difficult for children — slowing learning, increasing restlessness, and elevating stress. The HABA Pro Climbing World City Wall Panels bring vertical movement indoors, transforming unused wall space into engaging, developmentally supportive play zones. These panels encourage children to climb, balance, and problem-solve in a safe, structured environment. More than just play, they help build: ✔ Strength and coordination ✔ Confidence and risk awareness ✔ Spatial reasoning ✔ Perseverance and resilience By integrating climbing elements into indoor environments, schools and learning spaces can recreate the physical challenges children naturally seek outdoors — even in the middle of winter. This kind of intentional design ensures that cold weather doesn’t mean less movement, less engagement, or less growth — just smarter spaces that work harder for children. Eric Scharpf, WEHRFRITZ, Allor Group, Akers Business Solutions, George Schoenwald, Colleen Werzinski, Dan Binford & Associates, Design Resource Group Atlanta, FinelinesNW, The Forest Group, The Ginger Grant Group, Marc Shore Associates, Matt Carroll, OPM - Office Products Marketing, Dan Lynn, Christina MacGregor MIA,IIDA, LEED,ASID, Kara Cochran, Resa Anaya, Brian MacGregor, Sickler Inc, Kelli Lee, Skip Dunaway

I’ve always found a lot of inspiration in wayfinding projects outside the U.S. This article from Transform is a good example of why. 👉 Building Personality Through Wayfinding https://lnkd.in/efbP6JDj What consistently strikes me about international work, (and my feed is now blessedly full of examples) especially projects coming out of Europe, is how differently the built environment is seen, discussed, and shaped. Different planning frameworks, different cultural expectations, different stakeholder dynamics. That inevitably leads to different design approaches. Having spent time overseas, it makes sense. Wayfinding isn’t treated as an afterthought or a purely functional layer. It’s often considered part of the architectural and experiential narrative from the outset. Even when regulatory rules differ from what we see here, there’s a lot of value in studying these programs. Not to copy them outright, but to understand the angles, the intent, and the broader thinking behind them. Those perspectives tend to sharpen how we approach complex projects closer to home. #architecture #placemaking #wayfinding #multifamily #mixeduse #newdevelopment

Behind every building is a bigger mission. We’re excited to share that April Kelly, MBA, Chief of Real Estate & Capital Planning at Ascentria Care Alliance, is featured in Spaces Magazine for her work shaping the future of mission-driven development and community-centered design. For April, real estate is never just about buildings. It’s about creating spaces that reflect mission, strengthen collaboration, and prepare Ascentria for the future. After years of working in temporary and improvised offices, April led the strategy, negotiations, and design of Ascentria’s new 24,615-square-foot headquarters with purpose and intention. The result is a space built for people: ✔️ Flexible work areas that support teamwork ✔️ Classrooms and event space for community partners ✔️ Room to grow alongside the organization’s expanding services The new headquarters represents more than a move. It reflects a culture shift toward connection, innovation, and long-term impact. As April shares in Spaces Magazine, the goal was to design a space that supports not only today’s work, but the organization Ascentria is becoming. Her leadership is also helping shape what’s next, from future development projects to senior living communities rooted in belonging, purpose, and care. We’re proud to see April’s work and vision recognized in Spaces Magazine and grateful for the role she plays in building spaces where people and mission can thrive. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eAgTDbM2

How far can reuse really go? Lumi, an office building in Uppsala for Vasakronan, is pushing the limits of circular architecture. By reimagining and reusing almost everything from a 1970s office frame, it stands as one of Sweden’s most ambitious reuse projects. Discover more in the Architects’ Journal article linked below. #whitearkitekter #architecture #reuse

Regenerating buildings in Soho is not always straightforward. Every change sits within layers of history and strong local identity. That context shaped how consultation was approached at Livonia Street from the very beginning. The scheme focused on the regeneration of a 1960s office building in the heart of Soho, alongside two historic passageways linking Livonia Street and D’Arblay Street. These routes are well used and form part of how people move through the area, so their treatment mattered just as much as the building itself. Comm Comm supported community consultation for the planning application, working with Livonia Investments and Sterling Real Estate to ensure local voices were heard and concerns addressed early. Engagement included direct conversations with neighboring residents and councilors, as well as proactive meetings with the Soho Society, a key voice in this part of Westminster. Consultation focused on tangible outcomes such as how would the upgraded office space sit within its surroundings? How would improvements to the underpass connection affect safety and day-to-day experience? What would change, and what would remain familiar? Clear, consistent communication helped explain how the renovation and extension would create a more environmentally responsible, contextually sensitive workplace while still respecting the character of Soho. Positive aspects of the scheme were shared with the local business community, and feedback was reflected through the SCI and Summary of Proposals presented to planning committee. Planning consent was granted in Autumn 2025. It’s a reminder that sensitive regeneration in historic areas depends as much on how change is communicated as what is being proposed.

Small-bay flex is evolving. We’re leading the way! It’s no longer just warehouse + overhead door. We’re seeing increasing demand for clear-span, high-ceiling spaces that allow true adaptability — sports training facilities, performance gyms, club sports, specialty recreation, even hybrid office/training concepts. The common denominator? Open. Flexible. Uninterrupted space. Clear-span design changes everything: • No interior columns • Full court layouts • Multi-sport striping • Add offices or mezzanines later • Revenue-generating layouts from day one This is where thoughtful development matters. At Flexpoint Spaces, we’re designing projects that anticipate how users actually operate — not just how buildings are traditionally drawn. Industrial isn’t just storage anymore. It’s experience-driven space. It’s community-driven use. It’s cash-flow driven adaptability. The next decade of small-bay flex will reward developers who design for flexibility from the start. We’re building accordingly. #FlexpointSpaces #CommercialRealEstate #SmallBayIndustrial #FlexSpace101 #IndustrialDevelopment #ClearSpan #SportsFacilities #CREDevelopment #MidwestRealEstate

A Westboro office building is planned to be converted into 143 residential units. Projects like this reflect how cities are responding to changing work patterns by rethinking underused office space and introducing housing within established neighbourhoods. It’s another example of how Ottawa’s real estate landscape continues to adjust to evolving demand. Photo source: CTV News

A Westboro office building is planned to be converted into 143 residential units. Projects like this reflect how cities are responding to changing work patterns by rethinking underused office space and introducing housing within established neighbourhoods. It’s another example of how Ottawa’s real estate landscape continues to adjust to evolving demand. Photo source: CTV News